Musicians Stand and be counted.
I have gathered that we have many former and current musicians among us.
Sound off time, let us all know what bands you were with, the years, the genre of music you played with each group, what instruments you play, and any highlights you had. Or if you are still playing what you are doing now.
Inquiring minds want to know.
January 27th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Let me start, I started playing drums in 8th grade, in 9th some mates and me started a group called the Oklahoma Gold Band. We played at Shotgun Sam’s Pizza in Midwest City, OK on Fri and Sat nites. I think back then we made $50.00 per nite. We went on to playing at a club in Dallas on the weekends for the sum of $150.00 per weekend( book the cruise). After that went away we played on Danny’s Day once. (Those from OK will remember that show The show that launched the career of Mary Hart of Entertainment Tonight Fame.) In the late 80’s MR, JEK and myself played around for a few years but never made anything of it Except for a few silly recordings. In 1992 I became associated with a group Mike Black and the Stingrays as the sound tech and backup drummer, one of the first gigs with them was opening for Percy Sledge at the Civic center. We have been to Vegas twice Our Lead singer was voted the Oklahoma Country Music association Entertainer of the year, our Bass player voted bass player of the year twice and we were voted the Buddy Holly band of the year 1997 We have recorded one CD and those of you from Okla will Remember “The Ballad Of Barry Switzer” circa 1994 Played mainly on KOMA that was us as well. Check us out at http://www.stingraysonline.com
January 28th, 2006 at 6:58 am
Is this a job interview or a background check? “I’ll talk to Bob” and get back to you…….
January 28th, 2006 at 10:12 am
Mike Black? If I’m not mistaken he was the drummer for a band we competed for gigs with in the 60’s. Danny White was the singer, Jesse Arvalez (who later joined our band for a while) was the guitarist. The name of the band was “The Psychos”.
January 28th, 2006 at 11:28 am
None of the above, I just like hearing about what all you guys were up to back then.
I was reading over some old comments and posts over the past month and hearing about some of the concerts that others went to back then and gigs that were played well you know how I am, I guess sometimes I would rather talk about the past instead of the present. And last but not least, I could not think of a good topic for a new post. That shows you how boring my life has become. But as I always say “Excitement is highly Overrated” Besides in your case, I probably know 45% of your story.
January 28th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Sounds to me like you guys should get together and play some music.
January 29th, 2006 at 10:57 am
Anonymous: Must be a different Mike Black, Our’s can’t play anything but the tambourine. He was still in school in the ’60s. Is that the same Danny White of “Danny’s Blues Saloon” Fame ?
January 29th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
I meant that I hope all you guys down there around Oklahoma are playing music and if not you should get together……barring injuries and Alzheimer’s…..wrap your bodies in elastic, take some ginko la bobo, and go at it. It’s even more fun when it’s not serious.
January 29th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
yes, JJ, the same Danny White.
January 30th, 2006 at 1:32 am
When I was 15-16 years old, I worshiped the Psychos. Of course me and my pals couldn’t get into the places
where Jim Edgar & The Roadrunners were playing ( without a fake i.d. ). The local group that really blew
me away back then was The In-Men from Weatherford. It was a four-piece band with a horn section—the keyboard
player would chord with his left hand and play trumpet with his right, and the bass player would thump out
bass lines on the fretboard and play trumpet with his right hand.
Jesse Arvalez also played in one of my bands for a while. Who the hell are you, Anonymous ? Where you in
Phoenix also ? Well, if you told me, I guess you wouldn’t be Anonymous any more. Any way Jesse and his
friend Greg Gellman of Religious Bull joined our group for two or three months, then they split for Vegas.
I don’t know if Greg ever mastered that technique of playing bass and trumpet at the same time.
January 31st, 2006 at 7:40 am
Never been to Spain (I mean Phoenix), but I’ve been to Oklahoma. Also played quite a bit in Kansas and a little in Texas,Arkansas.
February 2nd, 2006 at 10:28 am
Aha, now I remember. The drummer for the Psycos was Mike Raymond, not Mike Black.
February 3rd, 2006 at 11:39 pm
Sounds like that I am surrounded by an Enormous wealth of musical talent, and the stories from the past definitely brings new life to the old saying “Truth is stranger than Fiction”. ie; a gig at the O club at Ft.Sill If I remember right Mr.? I am also getting a 6 Degrees of separation from all of us.
Sunn: Was Danny as much of a “Trip” Back then as he is now? I have played with him a couple of times at jam sessions and he is something else.
anon: You are exactly right, It is much more fun when it’s not serious. The best times that I have had musically were at jam sessions and working with MR just plinkin’ round.
February 4th, 2006 at 12:23 am
OK, let’s see, the Psychos were Mike Raymond on drums, Jesse Arvalez on guitar, Tony Devine on organ,
Danny White on vocals…does anyone remember the bass player’s name ?
Sorry, J.J.
We’ve gotten WAY off the original track of this post.
I hope this doesn’t sound like I’m boasting, because I’ve never really done anything worth bragging
about ( at least musically ).
The Illusions–1965-66–british invasion, pop rock
The Soul Authority–1968–r & b, pop
The Continentals–1968-69–r & b, pop
Phoenix–1969-70–everything from James Brown to Glen Campbell to Led Zeppelin, let’s say eclectic
The Heavy Load–1971-72–hard rock, Beatles, prog rock
Mouse Control–1973–all original prog rock
Terraplane–1974-75–eclectic, from Lynrd Skynrd to King Crimson, my 1st original compositions
Cozmic Debris–1976–all original electronic instrumental, 3-man synth band
The Jupiter Effect–1977-78–prog rock, some originals
Golden Delicious–1987–british invasion, pop–only gig was 20th high school reunion
Group Therapy–1989-90–pop, prog
As far as highlights, there were quite a few. There were even more lowlights. No money or fame to
speak of. I recently made a list of every musician I ever played with, auditioned, auditioned for
or jammed with–there were 52 whose names I can remember, and 18 more whose names I cannot remember.
Only one, a drummer named Gene Glover, has a Grammy. The most succesful of the lot is probably Dave
Gant, who played keyboards & fiddle, and was arranger-director of Garth Brooks’ road band. Dave’s
favorite artist when we played together was Keith Emerson–he was classically trained on viola and
piano.
I’m a not-very-good keyboard player, but I’m a little better at vocals, flute & alto sax.
February 11th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Way back then played harp, since, guitar. Favorite color: white. Love to take long romantic walks with large…………
February 14th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Although its a little late, the bassist of the Psychos was Calvin Turner.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I used to work at a couple of the clubs back when…The Blue Goose, the Crazy Horse,,last one was White Light on Paseo.
I knew Gregg Gellman, and Religious Bull. I knew most of the
bands from that era. Does anyone remember the band ‘True Love’?
Well nice to see some things that were ‘positive’ about OKC..back then…since it sucks here now..
June 17th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Greg here, formerly of Religious Bull, Knight Walkers and Montana, all 60’s and 70’s OKC bands. I am still alive and kicking. Been in Bakersfield, CA for 4 plus years and Calif for almost 30 years. Two daughters with my three grandkids, a couple of X and I current mrs. I am still playing using the same P-bass I got used in OKC in 1968. in a couple of different groups here and I just retired from 18 years at Home Depot and looking to play full time again. Won’t happen here in Bakersfield, but have van, will travel–wire Greg– rocknvox@yahoo.com – Let me hear from you. Miss the old times.
June 17th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Sorry Greg, the blog ate your comment, but, luckily, I had an e-mail copy of it, and after checking with a couple of my Terraplane band mates, they remember you and the bands you mention….. If you like heat and humidity come on back to OKC and we’ll make you more than welcome….. We, as in Terraplane, are getting ready to release a new CD…… We’ve been jamming and playing together all these years, although, we lost Dan Rowell, our lead guitarist who passed away a few years back….. You’re more than welcome to join our Blog – It has a small following of friends, mostly from OKC and Seattle who are also musicians, but, we pick on any and everything….. If you register, I’ll approve your App…. Would be more than happy to have you aboard……